Big Spring man pleads guilty to making bomb threat at BSHS

LUBBOCK, Texas — Big Spring resident Jordan Weston Hamilton has pleaded guilty to a federal charge of false information and hoaxes, stemming from a bomb threat he made in December 2012.

The 24-year-old Hamilton, who remains in custody, faces a maximum statutory penalty of five years in federal prison and a $250,000 fine. U.S. District Judge Sam R. Cummings ordered a presentence investigation report with a sentencing date to be set after the completion of that report. The announcement was made Friday by U.S. Attorney Sarah R. Saldaña of the Northern District of Texas.

According to documents filed in the case, Hamilton called the Howard County 9-1-1 emergency call center at approximately 10:05 a.m. Dec. 17. He later admitted he intentionally conveyed false and misleading information to the emergency call center by stating there was a bomb in the Big Spring High School science room.

Hamilton also admitted that emergency officials — reasonably believing the false and misleading information he conveyed — evacuated and searched Big Spring High School for a bomb.

No bomb or device was found, Sgt. Tony Everett, Big Spring Police Department public relations officer, said at the time. Students and school faculty were sent back to their classes after approximately 40 minutes.

Everett said the call was made using a “dead” cell phone.

“A cell phone that is not activated or doesn't currently have service from the carrier can still dial 911,” Everett said. “These pre-paid cell phones we toss in the trash can be dug out by someone, charged up and used to dial 911.”